Zynga Inc.

Michael Arieh Luxton

Matthew Adam Ocko

Mark Pincus

Carl Eric Schiermeyer

Stephen Henry Schoettler

Nathan Brown

Scott Dale

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for using a particular type of virtual currency available in an account of the first player to purchase a virtual item and a beneficiary is selected for crediting the virtual item. Account of the first player is adjusted to reflect the purchase of the virtual item and the account of the beneficiary is updated to credit the virtual item.

Limiting transfer of virtual currency in a multiuser online game

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for crediting an account of the first player with virtual currency, and for enabling the first player to make transfers of the virtual currency to other players. The transfers of virtual currency from the first player to other players are then limited, such as by limiting the amount, the frequency, or the recipients of the transfers.

In various embodiments, virtual currency is used within a multiplayer online game in a restricted manner.

Virtual playing chips in a multiuser online game network

Disclosed in some examples is a method of caching by storing data in a first cache specific to a first geographic area and accessible only by a first application in the first geographic area; storing data in a second cache specific to a second geographic area and accessible by a plurality of applications in the second geographic area including the first application and a second application, the second geographic area being larger than and encompassing at least part of the first geographic area; responsive to a miss in the first cache for data, contacting the second cache and searching for the data in the second cache; and responsive to a hit for the data in the second cache, sending the data to a first application, wherein the data was placed in the second cache by a second application.

Multi-level cache with synch

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.

Disclosed in one example is a data access method in which a request for application data from a first application is received. The application data is searched for in a first cache and responsive to a miss from the first cache, a second cache is contacted over a network and searched. Responsive to a miss from the second cache, a third cache is contacted over a network and searched. The third cache being specific to one of a plurality of geographical areas, the third cache storing data for the first application and a plurality of other applications executing in that geographical area, the searching for the application data in the third cache including searching data stored by the plurality of other applications and data stored by the first application. If the third cache misses, a persistent store is contacted over a network and searched. If any of the first, second, or third caches hits, receiving the application data.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Michael Arieh Luxton